TikTok mom Tricia has an unconventional parenting style that may shock many people and judge her for it. However, the mom is unapologetic about her drive not to teach kids to share because she wants them to learn boundaries and respect.
In her TikTok video, which has received nearly half a million likes, Tricia professed that sharing is not always caring for her. In her experiences as a mom who has brought her kids to hundreds of playgroups, Tricia said that it's sometimes better to say no to the children who prefer another child's toy.
While most parents will likely relent and tell their child to give up their toy for the other kid, Tricia has a different approach. She will usually tell the other child or their parents to wait until her kids have finished playing.
The mother said that it's also important for parents to teach kids some boundaries and respect for other people. She said that sharing is okay, but children have to realize they shouldn't overstep. Parents should also realize that it's not right to tell one child to stop playing with the toy and then give in to their playmates "to make them happy."
@hotmessperfectionest Sharing sometimes isn't the right thing to do! #foryoupage #fyp #kids #parents #sharing #SpotifyWrapped #hairfoodchallenge #3mintiktok ♬ original sound - Tricia
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Mom's Solution for Sharing Toys
Tricia then shows how she solves sharing issues with the kids in playgroups. She usually sits down with them to explain that she has a timer that will indicate how long they can hold on to their toys. When the timer ends, then they can switch to another toy.
The mom believes that her approach stops the bickering among the children and imparts kindness and empathy. She said her style also helps adults who don't recognize boundaries, and many of her followers agreed with her approach.
Tricia professes that she follows gentle parenting techniques that various studies have proven to be effective for raising happy and well-rounded kids. One study stated that gentle parenting helps regulate the behaviors of toddlers because, rather than punishing the child, the goal of this approach is to teach children how to behave in socially acceptable ways.
Experts said that gentle parenting is also different from permissive parenting because the latter's approach to discipline is almost non-existent. Gentle parenting has been seen as a balance between this lax approach and the more authoritative tiger parenting style.
How to Apply Gentle Parenting
Sarah Ockwell-Smith, a parenting expert and author, said that there are no specific methods to gentle parenting. She defined this as "a way of being than a way of doing," which has four principles: empathy, respect, understanding, and boundaries.
The expert also said that gentle parenting makes use of authoritarian parenting tools but is tweaked so that they can connect, communicate, and be consistent with their kids. Ockwell-Smith said that this parenting style requires hard work and a lot of patience because both parents and kids may naturally get frustrated in certain situations.
However, the biggest key to gentle parenting is talking to the children so they can eventually develop self-discipline and an inner motivation to do what is right.
